Weight Loss Recipes

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy. In fact, if you’re trying to slim down, it shouldn’t be about candy at all. This year, let it be about family fun. Here are eight healthy Halloween ideas to boost the holiday fun factor, most of which have zero calories!

1. Up your jack-o’-lantern game.

While triangle eyes and nose and fanged grin are the classic pumpkin carving go-to, keep your hands a little busier this year (and less likely to dip into the candy) with something a little more, well, spooktacular. Head to the internet to get some fun pumpkin carving Halloween ideas. Buy or download free pumpkin stencils that will make your jack-o’-lanterns the talk of the neighborhood. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to create a spooky zombie face, a witch on a broomstick, a hooting owl or a Day of the Dead Mexican skull, even if you have zero artistic talent. Invest in a pumpkin carving kit that contains tools to make it easier. It’s so satisfying and fun, you may not stop!

2. Make a scary entrance.

There are some easy peasy ways to decorate your front porch or walkway to make Halloween an extra supernatural experience for trick-or-treaters. If you have a cast iron Dutch oven, add some dry ice to water which will turn it into a bubbling cauldron. Invest in some fake spider webs and spiders to cover shrubs or trees to greet visitors as they walk up to your door. You can even make spiders out of black balloons—small one for the head, larger one for the body, tied together, with black pipe cleaners for legs. Dangle them from your porch. Use a couple of bales of hay as an outdoor table if you want your trick or treaters to serve themselves. Use faux spider webbing as your “tablecloth,” and group your pumpkins, carved and otherwise, around the base. Don’t forget a few white plastic bag “ghosts” for good measure.

3. Plan a bonfire.

With the arrival of chilly fall air, now may be the perfect time to invest in a little backyard firepit to cozy up next to on weekend evenings. You, your family and friends can gather to roast marshmallows (less than 100 calories for four regular sized marshmallows!) and tell your best scary ghost stories. It could become a family or neighborhood tradition.

4. Bob for apples.

This used to be the funniest party game before designers Chuck Foley and Neil Rabens invented Twister. Contestants would kneel in front of a large container of water filled with floating apples. The object of the game? Grab an apple . . . with your teeth! Try to do it without laughing (not possible) or getting wet (sooo not possible). Given the pandemic, it’s probably not appropriate for a general Halloween party, but it can be a hilarious family activity for those in your household. Don’t forget to eat the apples!

5. Talk to the hands.

A great (and delicious) activity to do with kids is to make spooky Halloween Popcorn Hands. All you need are four cups of air-popped or light popcorn, three disposable gloves (food contact gloves which contain no powder and are Latex free) and 15 candy corn pieces. Drop the candy corn into each finger of the gloves (yep, those are finger nails). Then stuff the popcorn into each finger and also fill up the glove. Tie the end of the gloves. These decorative treats count as two Extras on the Nutrisystem plan.

6. Make some diet-friendly chocolate apples.

Everyone in the family will love these sweet treats. You’ll love the fact that you can easily make them Nutrisystem-friendly! Prepare regular chocolate apples for the fam and whip up a lightened-up version for yourself. Instead of using regular chocolate or caramel, swap in a bag of Nutrisystem NutriChocolaty Wafers. These bite-sized morsels have the delicious flavor of chocolate and rich cocoa with just a hint of caramel. With this hack, your apple “indulgence” counts as only one Nutrisystem Snack, one PowerFuel and one SmartCarb.

For each chocolate apple, simply melt a bag of NutriChocolaty Wafers, insert a popsicle stick into the core of a medium apple, dip the apple in the melted chocolate, then roll in two Tablespoons of crushed peanuts. Set on parchment paper until the chocolate hardens. To download a free printable recipe books with this recipe and 11 other healthy Halloween ideas, click here! >

7. Plan a scary movie night.

If you have an all-adult household, you can have a movie night and hold a “Halloween” marathon—the movie series, “Halloween” that is. Other top horror flicks according to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie rating site, include “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Ring,” “Candyman,” “Scream” and “House on Haunted Hill.” If you like a little humor with your scary, consider “Shaun of the Dead,” “Black Sheep” or “Tremors.” Some class acting? “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Shining” are standouts. Anything Stephen King. Kiddies on board? Think about “Frankenweenie,” “The Little Vampire,” “The Addams Family,” “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” or “Coraline.” The whole family will enjoy “Beetlejuice.”

8. Go on a hay ride.

Many farms and nature centers have Halloween hayrides. Some are “haunted” by human and animatronic ghosts and zombies for those who love a good fright. Others are mellow and simply take you for a ride through the fields balanced on a hay bale. Some farms also have corn mazes that can keep you twisting and turning for close to an hour, plus farm animals to pet, pumpkins to pick and apple cider to drink. You can even take a trip to a local sunflower field for plenty of photo ops!

Looking for more healthy and fun ideas to celebrate Halloween? Click the link below!:

The post 8 Fun and Healthy Ideas to Celebrate Halloween Season appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/fun-and-healthy-halloween-ideas/

With Halloween coming up, the influx of candy in the grocery store aisles may mean temptation is lurking around every corner. While those sugary sweets might feel frighteningly detrimental to your healthy diet, you can whip up some equally satisfying but guilt-free homemade Halloween candy at home in little to no time at all!

Swapping your Halloween candy with these healthier alternatives will make the Halloween season much less spooky—at least when it comes to your health.

1. 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Candy Bites >

When it comes to simple Halloween candy, it doesn’t get much easier than four ingredients! These candy bites are made with corn flakes, peanut butter, brown rice syrup and chocolate chips. With the beloved combination of peanut butter and chocolate—plus just a bit of crunch—these bites have all the indulgence of a candy bar without the guilt. Get the full recipe here! >

2. Halloween Peppermint Gems >

There’s something about the classic combination of peppermint and chocolate that makes it a favorite Halloween treat for many. This simple recipe makes small “gem-sized” candy bites that have a hint of coconut, too. They’ll satisfy your sweet tooth while still clocking in under 100 calories per serving. Get the full recipe here! >

3. 4-Ingredient Chocolate Raspberry Cups >

The combination of chocolate and raspberry has a decadence about it that really makes it feel like a gourmet treat! These chocolate raspberry cups are made using just four ingredients—frozen raspberries, chia seeds, coconut oil and chocolate chips. We also have lots of suggestions of healthy swaps to switch up the flavor and texture of these delicious treats. Get the full recipe here! >

4. Almond Butter and Sea Salt Freezer Fudge >

If you’re someone who loves the flavor combo of mixing sweet with salty, then this is a fudge recipe you’ll have to try. Fudge is one of those desserts that seems difficult to make when in reality, there’s not much more to it than mixing! In little to no time at all, you can whip up a decadent treat to enjoy. Get the full recipe here! >

5. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups >

Chocolate peanut butter cups are perhaps one of the most beloved Halloween candies out there. But they’re also packed with sugar. Our version cuts down on the amount of sugar from the store-bought variety using just three ingredients—chocolate chips, coconut oil and peanut butter. They’ll still satisfy your sweet tooth but without completely derailing your healthy eating regimen. Get the full recipe here! >

6. Pecan Pie Freezer Fudge >

Think bite-sized pecan pies that you can whip up with a handful of simple ingredients. Simply blend the ingredients, pop in the freezer to set and enjoy! The result is that decadent fudge taste and texture that makes it so craveable—all with the delicious appeal of pecan pie. Get the full recipe here! >

7. Chocolate Pumpkin Truffle Balls >

If you love pumpkin flavored treats, then this delectable candy is sure to become a new favorite. These truffle balls have a tasty filling made from pumpkin puree, cashew butter, maple syrup, blanched almond flour and pumpkin pie spice. The filling then firms up in the fridge before being dipped in its chocolate coating and once again heads back to the refrigerator to set. The end result tastes like a mini, portable pumpkin pie smothered in chocolate. Make these for Halloween or any other fall holiday; they even make a cute gift! Top them with chopped nuts or cacao nibs for some extra crunch. Get the full recipe here! >

8. 3-Ingredient Chocolate Pecan Caramel Bites >

At under 100 calories per serving, these chocolate pecan caramel bites are a healthier way to indulge your love of chocolate. They’re the perfect combo of pecans, caramel and Nutrisystem NutriChocolaty Wafers. Plus, they are simple to make and assemble. Get the full recipe here! >

9. 3-Ingredient Salted Orange Bark Bars >

If you’ve never made chocolate bark before, it involves melting chocolate, sprinkling in desired add-ons and spreading on a sheet pan to set in the fridge. Our chocolate bark recipe is super simple using just dark chocolate, orange zest and coarse salt for a tangy “salted orange” flavor. Break off a piece to satisfy your sweet tooth without getting your healthy eating plans off track. Get the full recipe here! >

10. Grasshopper Candy Bars >

These delicious snack bars use six simple ingredients, including rice cereal, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and chocolate chips, to whip up a gooey-chewy bar that is so satisfying to bite into and enjoy. It’s a great alternative to diving into the candy bowl and overindulging on sugar. Get the full recipe here! >

11. Maple Walnut Fudge >

Here’s another delicious fall-inspired fudge recipe that’s incredibly simple to make. Just puree walnuts with coconut oil, maple syrup, maple extract and stevia (if desired), and pour into an ice cube tray to set. Besides being delicious, this fudge also packs in six filling grams of fiber and five grams of protein. That makes it a fudge you can feel good about. Get the full recipe here! >

12. No-Bake Skinny Mint Chocolate Brownie Bites >

If you love the flavor combo of mint and chocolate, then these brownie bites are your perfect indulgence! Instead of turning to the candy bowl, whip up these bite-sized brownies which have just 87 calories per serving. Avocado is the secret ingredient to making a creamy and healthy mint filling in these delectable treats. Get the full recipe here! >

13. Chocolate Peppermint Cups >

Another mint plus chocolate combo, this peppermint cup recipes will yield 10 homemade candies that clock in at just 49 calories each. They’ve got the refreshing sweetness that you desire and they’re just the right size to pop in your mouth and curb your cravings. Get the full recipe here! >

14. Pumpkin Spice Freezer Fudge >

No flavor quite summons the “fall feels” like pumpkin spice! And now you can enjoy it in a decadent fudge that is super easy to make and won’t put you in a sugar coma. Simply mix together some ingredients like almond butter and pumpkin puree, transfer to an ice cube tray and pop in the freezer to set! One piece of fudge is just 82 calories. Get the full recipe here! >

15. Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars >

As we’ve said before, it’s hard to go wrong with the powerful flavor duo of chocolate with peanut butter! And unlike traditional candy bars which can be a diet disaster, these bars are actually made from healthful ingredients like dates, peanut butter, oats and even some Vanilla Nutrisystem Shake Mix for more protein and flavor. Get the full recipe here! >

16. Candy Corn Fruit Parfait >

Instead of grabbing a handful of syrupy-sweet candy corn, this parfait will get you into the Halloween spirit but without the empty calories. While it’s technically not “candy,” the sweet flavors and creamy cottage cheese are sure to satisfy your cravings and keep you full. It layers diced pineapple, orange and cottage cheese for a healthy snack with spooky spirit. Get the full recipe here! >

17. Chocolate Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge >

This creamy and decadent fudge has the fabulous flavors of chocolate and peanut butter. But it uses just peanut butter, unsweetened vanilla almond milk and some Nutrisystem NutriChocolaty Wafers, so you can indulge guilt-free. Simply mix up the three ingredients, spread in an ice cube tray and freeze to set. Get the full recipe here! >

18. Pumpkin Spice Bars >

Our Pumpkin Spice Bars are just as delicious as a store bought candy bar. They’re crispy yet chewy and filled with bursts of pumpkin spice flavor. At just 52 calories per serving, they are totally Nutrisystem-approved. Get the full recipe here! >

19. Chocolate Caramel Apples >

Apple picking season is upon us! We’ve lightened up the classic caramel apple so that you can enjoy it while you lose weight. These Chocolate Caramel Apples are super tasty and less than 100 calories. Before the chocolate and caramel hardens on the apples, we top them with crushed nuts for some extra crunch and healthy fats.  Get the full recipe here! >

20. Almond Butter Stuffed Dates >

Dates are pretty much nature’s candy. We stuff them full of creamy almond butter and sprinkle on various toppings for a wholesome homemade candy recipe that you can feel good about. Get creative with your favorite healthy toppings, including chopped almonds, shredded coconut, chocolate chips and pomegranate seeds. Get the full recipe here! >

The post 20 Easy and Healthy Homemade Halloween Candy Recipes appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/homemade-halloween-candy-recipes/

Don’t wait for New Year’s Day. The start of fall is the ideal time to embark on a crisp, cool journey to weight loss success.

Why? The unpredictability of summer barbecue fare is over, as are the splurges of summer vacation. It’s time to focus on yourself, your food choices and your health. We put together a list of reasons to embrace the bracing chill of fall as the start of your weight loss victory.

Here are six reasons why autumn is the best time to drop pounds:

1. Fall is all about routine.

The kids are back in school, which means getting back into a routine. Getting up for the bus, packing lunches, after-school activities and scheduled bedtimes.

This also makes fall a great time to create new routines and solidify new, healthy habits of your own. According to Jamesclear.com, one way to help cement these new routines is by doing something called “habit stacking,” where a new habit is paired with one you’re already doing. Doing so creates a cue to do a new, healthy task when you’re already doing a task that’s a habit.

If you already make the kids’ lunches each morning and you’re hoping to eat more non-starchy vegetables as part of a weight loss program, stack them! When you’re making the kids’ lunches, chop up one container of carrots, cucumbers or another veggie for yourself to eat later in the day. If you’re trying to drink more water and you already brush your teeth every morning, stack them! After you brush, drink an eight-ounce glass of water.

Weight loss success is all about finding routines that you can stick to. Fall is the ideal time to create and solidify those routines.

2. It’s not so blazingly hot!

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July 2021 was the world’s hottest month ever recorded. So hot, in fact, that it was often unbearable to be outside exercising. Fall brings those mind-melting temperatures to a merciful end, meaning it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors.

A morning walk in the newly-crisp air could help you control your appetite for the rest of the day. In a study published by the American Physiological Society, scientists found that those who did aerobic exercise had lower levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Getting in your steps at sunrise could give you this appetite-suppressing hormone advantage all day.

If you’re not a morning person, know that taking a walk doesn’t have to be at the crack of dawn. Making a habit of getting moving on weekend hikes, bike rides or just longer walks with the dog can help you feel healthier and add to your weight loss success. It’s finally cool enough outside to do so!

Autumn is also a great season to start in the gym because it isn’t as crowded as January. This will give you the space to get the weights and machines you need for your workout. Gyms often have sales and free training sessions as the leaves start to turn.

3. It’s the season of harvest.

Nutritious and fiber-rich favorites are in season, which can be great for your wallet and health. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), some of the delicious produce that is in-season during the fall includes:

• Fruit: Apples, cranberries and pears.
• Root Vegetables: Beets, carrots, sweet potatoes and radishes.
• Leafy greens: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and Swiss chard.
• Squash: Pumpkin, butternut and acorn.
• Other Vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, peas and onions.

Get creative with your favorite autumn produce and incorporate them throughout your weight loss menu. Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary or ginger to add some fall flavor. If you need inspiration, try our recipes for Maple Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Roasted Rosemary Beets and Carrots or Pumpkin Pie Applesauce!

4. It’s soup season!

Another reason to love the cooler temperature is heating up a bowl of hot, comforting soup. Whether it’s Nutrisystem’s fan-favorite Chicken Noodle Soup, Classic Pasta Fagioli or something homemade, warm dishes like these are perfect for fall. There are many soup recipes that are healthy and diet-friendly. It’s a versatile meal that you can make using your favorite ingredients. Have fun and experiment with different proteins, vegetables, grains and broths. Click the link below for some ideas!

5. Hearty desserts are on the menu.

Wait … what? Sure, fall is full of hearty favorites like apple pies and pumpkin spice everything. But how can hearty desserts help you lose weight?

When they’re Nutrisystem-approved, that’s how! Whether it’s Nutrisystem’s Carrot Cake Cupcake or one of these guilt-free versions of your fall favorites. > Having dessert on Nutrisystem isn’t about depriving yourself, it’s about learning how to enjoy your favorite foods (even sweets) with the right portions and ingredients. By enjoying these dishes in autumn, you’ll have tools and smart strategies to tackle your cravings without packing on pounds when all the holidays roll around.

6. New Year’s resolutions can be WAY more fun.

Since you’ll already be on a diet plan, you’ll be ready for the high-calorie temptations during the holiday season and celebrating weight loss success. You won’t have to resolve to “lose weight” when New Year’s Day rolls around. Instead, you’ll be able to make resolutions about what you’ll do now that you’re already closer to your goals.  Create resolutions like going on a vacation or road trip, rocking a killer new dress or fitness goals like running a half-marathon. This is a great time to plan new experiences and create memories. Make your New Year’s resolutions more fun by resolving to lose weight starting now!

The post 6 Reasons Fall is the Best Time for Weight Loss appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/fall-weight-loss/

In some ways, Halloween is the toughest holiday to navigate when you’re dieting. While most seasonal festivities involve food, this one involves candy, one of the most irresistible sugar delivery systems ever invented. It’s sweet, delicious and almost addicting. With so much candy around, you need diet tricks and treats to stay on plan.

You can avoid candy the rest of the year (if you exert willpower in the supermarket checkout line) but on Halloween, you bring tons of it into your house to give away. Then your kids bring more. You may try to limit yourself to “just one,” but that gives way to “just one of each” and before you know it, those bite-sized morsels turn into unwanted pounds.

If you don’t have trick-or-treaters at home, you could skip the holiday altogether. Keep the porch light off and hide in the dark. Better yet, leave it off and go out to dinner until the ghosts and goblins are back home in bed. If there’s no way out, you can use these creative diet tricks to help you get through the week safely. You’ll see that we’ve paired each trick with a Nutrisystem treat.  The first trick will tell you why!

Here are 11 diet tricks and treats to keep you on track this Halloween:

1. Don’t deprive yourself.

Trick: One of the worst things you can do is avoid your favorite treats. When dieting is all about “no,” you’re more likely to fail, says a 2016 study by researchers at Baylor University. Their research found that successful dieters are the ones who focus on the healthy foods they can eat, not the ones they think they need to avoid. Check out recipe section on The Leaf for smart candy swaps. You’ll love these Chocolate Pumpkin Truffle Balls! >

Treat: No need to purchase store-bought candy. Nutrisystem’s Chocolate Caramel Bar is the perfect replacement. It’s a crispy combination of milk chocolate and sweet caramel that you can enjoy for just 150 calories.

 2. Buy candy the day of Halloween.

Trick: Tell the truth— Have you bought Halloween candy weeks in advance and then had to buy it all over again because you and the entire family wiped it out? Try to keep candy in the house for the shortest amount of time possible. In fact, if you can, buy it on Halloween. It’s likely to be on sale then, too.

Treat: Now that you’ve saved calories and money, indulge in Nutrisystem’s deliciously crunchy Dark Chocolaty Sea Salt Nut Square. It’s filled with a medley of sea salt-dusted nuts and covered in a drizzle of dark chocolate flavor. Best of all, it’s only 190 calories and has ZERO grams of added sugar. No candy can say that!

3. Pick candy you don’t like.

Trick: When you’re candy shopping, be sure to stay away from your favorites. Choose candies that the kids love but you don’t. If you love chocolate, choose fruity and sour gummy candies. Are you a sucker for hard candy? Buy sticky taffy or toffee.  Purchase the sweets that you don’t like (but they do) and you’ve kept yourself away from temptation.

Treat: If you’re a chocolate lover, you can feel free to indulge in Nutrisystem’s NutriChocolaty Wafers! They’re a fun treat that can replace any unhealthy chocolate bar. You can even melt them to create chocolate covered fruit and nuts.

4. Don’t let yourself get hungry.

Trick: Candy may always be tempting. However, you may be less likely to give in if you’ve eaten plenty of healthy, fiber-rich meals all day before you’re faced with bowls and bags of sweet treats. Don’t save any calories for Halloween candy. Make sure you feel too full to eat another thing.

Treat: If you do have a little room left, Nutrisystem’s Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies are bite-sized treats that go great with a glass of skim milk. At only 150 calories, they’re packed with seven grams of protein and three grams of fiber to satisfy your sweet tooth.

5. Be the parent (or grandparent) who goes trick or treating.

Trick: Turn your kids’ trick-or-treating into a little exercise for yourself. Walk the neighborhood with them and while they’re at the door getting treated, do a little jogging in place.

Treat: For a great post-workout recovery treat, grab a Nutrisystem Lemon Cooler Cookie. These zesty, sugar-dusted cookies are only 140 calories and can squash any lemony candy craving you may have.

6. Stash the stash.

Trick: Have someone else in the household hide the Halloween candy so temptation is out of sight and out of mind. Just don’t ask the kids to hide it because you may never see it again. And don’t go looking for it!

Treat: You won’t care where the candy is when you know exactly where you’re keeping your Nutrisystem Chocolate Flavored Pretzels. They have the sweet and salty taste you love with only 140 calories. The five grams of protein and three grams of fiber make them ultra-satisfying.

7. Chew gum.

Trick: Chewing gum is a great way to fight temptation. A study, published in the journal Appetite, found that chewing gum is a simple way to modestly control appetite. In their research, people that chewed gum ate 68 fewer calories at lunch. Sugar free gum is a Free Food on Nutrisystem, so feel free to chew away those cravings!

Treat: Toss your gum away for a few minutes to enjoy Nutrisystem’s Snickerdoodle Cookie. It’s a soft-baked, whole grain cookie dusted with cinnamon, the spice of the season. With only 130 calories, it’s sure to spice up your Halloween.

8. Freeze your kids’ candy.

Trick: Keep both you and your youngsters from eating all the candy in one sitting by freezing their Halloween hauls. Parse out a few pieces they can eat each day. Not only are you eliminating temptation for you, you’re also giving your kids a great message about not overeating sweets.

Treat: Something you can eat frozen is our Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich. With vanilla flavored ice cream between two chocolate cookies, it clocks in at only 130 calories. You can even throw it in the blender to make this Ice Cream Sandwich Shake! >

 9. Don’t hand out candy.

Trick: You can buy pencils and stickers or a bulk pack of Halloween toys from your local party or dollar store. You can also try online shopping for fun Halloween trinkets. Zero fat, zero sugar and zero calories!

Treat: While you’re rocking your new Halloween spider ring, dig into a Nutrisystem Chocolate Brownie Sundae. You’ll be scooping up decadent fudge ribbons and brownie chunks throughout creamy, chocolate ice cream. Bye, bye chocolate cravings!

10. Craving candy? Brush your teeth.

Trick: Diet tricks can seem difficult. However, some are as easy as brushing your teeth (literally)! Have you ever tried to eat or drink something sweet after brushing? If you have a candy craving, the magazine Popular Science recommends brushing those fangs. They explain that one of the chemicals in toothpaste, sodium laureth sulfate, temporarily squashes sweet taste bud receptors so candy doesn’t taste so yummy after you’ve brushed.

Treat: Don’t brush before you’ve treated yourself to our Chocolate Cupcake! At just 140 calories, it’s full of luscious, chocolatey goodness that you can feel good about enjoying.

11. Keep giving out candy after Halloween.

Trick: The last but certainly not the least of our diet tricks involves giving. Many organizations have started accepting donations and buying leftover Halloween candy to send to American troops. They put the candy in care packages and send them to troops all over the world. You can even create your own care packages and hand them out to those who are in need.

Treat: You’ve done a good deed. Treat yourself with a Nutrisystem Lemon Zest Cake. Drizzled with icing, this sweet treat contains only 140 calories.

The post 11 Diet Tricks and Treats for a Healthy Halloween appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/diet-tricks-and-treats-for-a-healthy-halloween/